Kuzneski Innovation Cup

The Kuzneski Innovation Cup is back for its third year at the Big Idea Center and looking for NEW big ideas! Compete in the Big Idea Center’s first major competition of the year for a chance to win part of the $25,000 total prize pool!

Gain valuable feedback, build up the skills to further advance your idea, and be ready to compete in the 2024 Big Idea Competition!

By participating in the Kuzneski Innovation Cup, you will gain experience in university pitch competitions and learn how to:

  • Present in front of a pool of industry professionals
  • Meet the creators of the Kuzneski Innovation Cup at “Coffee with the Kuzneskis” on Oct. 19
  • Gain experience pitching and participating in live Q&A with judges from outside of the University of Pittsburgh
  • Compete for money to put towards making your dream a reality

Open to University of Pittsburgh students* in any major, freshmen to post-doc, who want to explore a new idea and kickstart their entrepreneurial journey.

Applications for the 2023 Kuzneski Innovation Cup have been closed.

*The Kuzneski Innovation Cup, along with all Big Idea Center competitions and/or funding opportunities, is primarily open to current University of Pittsburgh students. For more information, see “Eligibility” requirements below.

Meet the Kuzneski Innovation Cup 2023 Winners

 

Eligibility

  • A minimum of 2 currently enrolled Pitt students per team
  • Teams must be led by currently enrolled Pitt student(s)
  • All teams must have an already formed idea in order to compete
  • The Kuzneski Innovation Cup is designed for early-stage ideas.  You may not have worked much, or at all, on your idea.  That’s OK.  However, all teams must apply with an already-formed idea in order to be accepted into the competition.
    • Teams that are seeking high-level funding or formal investments will be directed elsewhere.

Upcoming Kuzneski Innovation Cup Info Session: Join us for “Coffee with the Kuzneskis”!

October 19 (2:30 – 3:30 P.M.) | Big Idea Center

Join special guests Laurie and Andy Kuzneski for a Saxbys-fueled information session about the Kuzneski Innovation Cup! This is YOUR OPPORTUNITY to chat with our competition sponsors and find out if your idea is the right fit for this year’s competition. No registration necessary!

IMPORTANT DATES:

Days, times, and location for Kuzneski Innovation Cup (KIC) events are subject to change.

The Big Idea Center will follow the University of Pittsburgh’s COVID-19 requirements and thus reserves the right to make any necessary event changes in order to comply with Pitt’s COVID-19 policies.

  • Week of October 23: application review by Big Idea Center staff
  • Week of October 30: team applications sent to Andy and Laurie Kuzneski for selection
  • November 3 (by EOD): notification of selection to Semi-Final Presentation Round
  • November 6-9: Team 1:1’s with Big Idea Center entrepreneurs in residence (EIRs) to practice and hone pitch for Semi-Final Presentation Round
  • November 10, 9:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M. (1/2 hour slots): In-Person Presentation Round, with the Kuzneskis and Guest Judges, timeslots to be scheduled with eligible teams – Location: Big Idea Center
  • November 15, 5:00 P.M.: Kuzneski Innovation Cup Closing Celebration & Award announcements – Location: Big Idea Center

Details regarding presentation round scheduling as well as important team information will be emailed directly to participating teams.

Video Submissions

Teams selected to participate in the Kuzneski Innovation Cup will be asked to submit a 1-2 minute filmed elevator pitch as part of their application materials. Submissions are due by October 22 @ 11:59 P.M.

Any questions should be directed to jmalandro@innovation.pitt.edu.

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